The Criterion Collection, the last vestige of truly collectible DVD and Blu-Ray movies in existence. These are well produced, fancy pants editions of important and interesting films for the discerning film lover.
We continue our journey through Jim's collection of movies with...
On The Waterfront
Spine Number: 647
Director: Elia Kazan
Genre: Drama
Some movies are iconic without a lot of people even realizing it. "I could have been somebody. I could have been a contender." That is one of those lines that you hear all over the place. It's, arguably, one of the greatest lines in film history, which is it's kind of everywhere. But a lot of people who use it don't even know where it coes from.
Well, it comes from "On The Waterfront."
Released in 1954, "On The Watefront" would go on to win 8 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director (Elia Kazan's second directing Oscar), Best Actor (Brando's first), Best Supporting Actress (Eva Maria Saint in her first on screen role),and get three Best Supporting Actor nominations (Lee J. Cobb, Karl Malden, and Rod Steiger).
It's a movie about working class people struggling with corruption in the only industry many of them know, or have known for several generations. How do you survive in an area that depends on union jobs when the union is unabashedly corrupt? How can you be decent and honest when the institutions that govern every part of your life are fundamentally broken? Sound familar. Yeah, these problems have been around forever.
Brandow is amazing as Terry Malloy, dockworker, former boxer, and right hand man/enforcer to the corrupt union boss. Eva Marie Saint is captivating as Edie Doyle, sister of a murdered dock worker. Malden kills it as the honest priest trying to help the workers. Steiger is perfect as Terry's older brother and bookkeeper for the corrupt union. And Lee J. Cobb steals the show as Michael J. Skelly, aka "Johnny Friendly" the cold hearted and ruthless mob connected union leader.
This movie is fantastic and damned near plays like a beautifully shot documentary. It's a stunning portrait of working class life struggling against unimaginable corruption.
So, check it out with us. Oh, and we also talk about the election and stuff.
Next week,
Spine number 24:High and Low
Also, check this out.
The Life Masters is now it's own show with its own site and own dedicated feed. That's right, we have two completely different shows!
Right now check it out at www.thelifemasters.podbean.com.
You can also drink in our brilliance on Youtube for both The Film Thugs and The Life Masters.
http://fantasymovieleague.com/
Looks like Summer Movie League has officially become Fantasy Movie League.
It looks quite fun. Here's how it works.
You have an 8 screen theater.
Every week you pick movies and have a budget/salary cap you have to stay under.
Then you compete against other theaters in your league.
It's fantasy football for movie people.
Our league is Film Thugs 2015 and the password is Porterhouse.
And remember, you can be a part of the show any time you wild like. How's that? All you have to do is call or e-mail us. If you live in the US, or any place that makes calling the US easy, just dial 512-666-RANT and leave us a voicemail. We will read the Google Voice transcript and play your message. It's both funny AND informative.
If you live outside the US you can call us on Skype at The_Film_Thugs. You can leave a message, or someone might actually answer.
E-mail us at thefilmthugs@gmail.com and we will read/play whatever you send us, or you can e-mail thugquestions@gmail.com to be part of an upcoming "Ask the Film Thugs" show, where we answer questions on any subject without having heard them first.
Also, we are on twitter @thefilmthugs and on Facebook and Vine.
Also, be sure to check back often for our new endeavor The Life Masters, where we answer questions to other advice columnists.
Thanks for listening, and until next week...
Criterion Year Week 21: The Royal Tenenbaums
Criterion Year Week 20: Traffic
Criterion Year Week 19: Sullivan's Travels
Criterion year Week 18: Withnail and I
Criterion Year Week 17: Rififi
Criterion Year Week 16: The Rock
Life Masters Episode 30: Here Are Your Choices, You Don't Have Any Choices
Life Masters Episode 29: These Kids Today With Their Phones, Their Loud Music, Dan Fogleberg, Their Zima, Hula Hoops, and Pac Man Video Games
Life Masters Episode 28: At Some Point, You Gotta Movie On
LIfe Masters Episode 27: Sometimes Nice People Can Also Be Dicks
Life Masters Episode 26: Ever So Delicate
Life Masters Episode 25: The Incredible, But Somewhat Understandable, Vanishing Boyfriend
Whiplash: A special 28 minute version of 5 Minutes With The Film Thugs
Life Masters Episode 24: The Incredible Vanishing Husband
Life Masters Episode 23: That Exit Looks Mighty Nice
Life Masters Episode 22: My Son Loves Me, But I Don't Agree With Him
Criterion Year Week 15: Gimme Shelter
Criterion Year Week 14: Sanjuro
Criterion Year Week 13: Yojimbo
Criterion Year Week 12: Chasing Amy
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